2011 State Of St. Louis Workforce Report Reveals Soft Skills Gap

Employers in the St. Louis region are challenged to find “work ready” applicants with the personal effectiveness competencies – often described as “soft skills” – needed to succeed in the modern work environment, according to the third “State of St. Louis Workforce Report.”

More than 400 business, education and civic leaders attended the State of St. Louis Workforce: Moving Forward Seminar at the Missouri Botanical Garden, where the report was presented for the first time and 13 regional thought leaders discussed its findings.

To evaluate all factors affecting the region’s workforce, St. Louis Community College conducted three research components: an Employer Survey, a Dislocated Worker Survey and Employer Case Study Interviews.

Labor Pool Alignment

Similar to 2010, this year’s Employer Survey again found alignment issues between job seekers and hiring companies. According to a survey of 1,218 employers in the region, companies are receiving applications from job seekers with adequate technical training for positions but many applicants lack basic “soft skills” such as work ethic, discipline, critical thinking and interpersonal skills.

“Soft skills continue to be an important component to workplace success significantly enhancing the value job seekers bring to the market,” said Rod Nunn, vice chancellor for workforce and community development. “All levels of education need to refocus on helping students achieve both technical skills and professional fundamentals.”

Other key findings from this survey include:

Two-thirds of respondents had at least some difficulty finding qualified talent for jobs. (Page 21)

More than half cited poor work ethic, communication/interpersonal skills, and critical thinking and problem solving as shortcomings among recent job applicants. (Page 22)

More than a third of employers said applicants lack a willingness and ability to learn, and don’t have the ability to collaborate as part of a team. (Page 22)

Employer Outlook

“Despite the current economic challenges faced by our region, we are optimistic about the future,” Nunn said. “To realize that future, regional leaders must continue to build meaningful strategic alliances providing workforce education that ensures the right skills in the right places at the right time.”

This survey revealed companies are prepared for growth, but are moving forward with caution.

Half of respondents reported company health/profitability as either good or excellent; another third reported it to be fair. (Page 16)

54 percent believe revenue will increase during the next year. (Page 17)

74 percent believe they will see increases in revenue in the next five years. (Page 17)

One third cited uncertainty about government regulations as the top challenge to growth. (Pages 17-18)

Dislocated Worker Profile

The Dislocated Worker Survey of 408 job seekers found that a wider spectrum of occupations and industries are affected by this recession than in the past.

42 percent of respondents are mid-career professionals between 45-54 years old. (Page 26)

79 percent are the primary wage earners of their households. (Page 26)

59 percent hold at least an associate degree; 29 percent hold a bachelor’s degree; 41 percent have no or only some postsecondary education. (Page 26)

More than 50 percent of dislocated workers have been out of work for a year. (Page 28)

Job Seekers Want Retraining

“Strong attachment to place and the housing market are making it difficult for workers to move to available jobs,” Nunn said. “This trend among mid-career professionals, who are settled in residency and family, indicates a need for more career assistance so they can receive new skills and succeed in new jobs.”

60 percent of workers said they are not willing to relocate for a job. (Page 26)

More than 90 percent cited needing to earn money or not being able to afford an education program as a barrier to pursing long-term training. (Page 30)

Of those respondents, 73 percent are willing to enter short-term training or skills development to improve employability.

Only 50 percent are willing to complete a degree program.

About the State of the Workforce Report

The report can be downloaded at www.STLCC.edu/stlworkforce. Experts from the college’s Center for Business, Industry and Labor also live blogged the event.

The report was developed by St. Louis Community College in partnership with local workforce investment boards, Missouri career centers, Southwestern Illinois WorkNet Centers, Go! Network, BounceBack St. Louis, Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, and the St. Louis Business Journal.

About Richard Schumacher

Richard Schumacher is the technology manager for the Workforce Solutions Group of St. Louis Community College. He connects, designs, and applies technology to meet business user needs with eLearning, training, web content, instructional design, IT system, and performance improvement solutions. Richard is a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) and has held Microsoft Certifications since 1993. Learn more about Richard by following him: LinkedIn - Twitter - Google+ - Articles - Email

About Us

The Workforce Solutions Group of St. Louis Community College leverages education for growth in the knowledge economy by offering programs and services designed to advance people, businesses and communities.

We are located at the Corporate College, a state of the art facility solely dedicated to corporate education and professional development.